Katherine and Riley’s Athenaeum at Caltech wedding in Pasadena exuded classic Los Angeles elegance yet still managed to be one of the most lively, fun parties of the year!

As a born and raised Pasadena girl, Katherine always hoped she would have the chance to get married in the same church where her parents wed, Holy Family. The couple wanted a celebration surrounded by striking architecture with an open-air view of the blue skies. Therefore, the Athenaeum at Caltech was the perfect choice for a wedding reception. As a Los Angeles wedding photographer, I was thrilled to document the energy and style of this meaningful wedding day!

Athenaeum at Caltech Wedding in Pasadena Story & Details

Katherine and Riley tied the knot at the same Pasadena church where her parents married 32 years earlier. These two craved a wedding rooted in tradition that felt classic, timeless, and centered on legacy.

A true labor of love, personal details threaded through every part of the wedding process. A dear friend contributed the homemade wedding cake. One bridesmaid painted a watercolor sketch of the church for the wedding programs. Another family friend crafted the custom invitation suite. When it came time to hire a florist, the couple selected a former neighbor who still designs for weddings in the Los Angeles area.

The mother of the bride selected her best friend as maid of honor in 1992. So Katherine chose this woman’s daughter who happens to be her own dear friend as her maid of honor at the wedding in 2024. A few photo recreations were absolutely necessary.

An uncle drove his classic car with “just married” painted on the back window. He escorted the newlyweds from the church to their reception in style.

Katherine and Riley consistently chose places, vendors, and details based on familiarity and trust. Honoring their history and everyone who supported them so far definitely set the tone for a memorable and meaningful wedding day. Even before the wedding day rolled around, the couple opted to explore Katherine’s old high school for engagement pictures. Not only did we capture the beauty of La Cañada Flintridge, we reimagined lots of places from Katherine’s school days in the photos.

Tuxedos aside, the wedding day felt like a welcoming, family affair. From children to college pals to grandparents, everyone crowded the dance floor once the band started to play.

Wedding Design & Details

Katherine and Riley opted for a classic and elegant wedding day style which added subtle yet meaningful touches to their historic wedding venues. White flowers and elevated attire paired with the stained glass windows & wood paneling made their ceremony and reception feel like a scene from a movie. Parent Trap, anyone?!

Apart from how it looked, Katherine and Riley put lots of time and effort into imagining how their guests would experience the wedding celebration. Choosing a live band for the reception created the perfect opportunity for everyone to let loose and party! Once Riley and Katherine shared their first dance, they invited all the guests to come join them on the dance floor. Everyone danced for a few songs to kick off the night before dinner was served. With familiar tunes heading up the set list, everyone young and old twirled and clapped, setting the tone for a great night! The band’s saxophone player headed out onto the dance floor. This automatically drew the crowd in even closer to get a good look.

One small detail that I noticed- a spotlight shone on each flower arrangement in the center of the tables during dinner and speeches. Adding emphasis and creating ambience helped tie the entire room together to make the wedding feel elevated yet warm.

Photographing a wedding at the Athenaeum at Caltech

As a wedding photographer in Los Angeles, one key element I noticed and loved about the Athenaeum at Caltech was the LIGHT! Thanks to the open air courtyard, sunlight streamed through the arches during detail photos of the reception space. Blue skies greeted guests as they sat for dinner. During getting ready moments in the morning, large windows allowed natural light to flow into the space. The window light softened skin and brightened up the room. With ample trees, hallways, courtyards, lawns, and grand staircases, the Athenaeum was incredibly easy to capture. This venue offers so much variety in terms of where we could take pictures. Wandering around the property with our couple was easy and relaxed knowing anywhere we turned would be a great spot.

One underrated area that I personally felt drawn to throughout the evening was the library where cocktail hour took place. With warm chandeliers hanging from the wood-paneled ceiling, it felt like we were transported to a cozy drawing room in an English manor. The roaring fireplace, silk couches, and oversized rugs added to the feeling of a party that could have taken place in almost any era.

Vendor Team

Planning + Design: HoneyFitz Events
Ceremony Venue: Holy Family Church
Reception Venue: Athenaeum at CalTech
Florals: Drew Domenghini Designs
Rentals: TMMPro Rental | Soirèe 8 Rentals
Photography: Erin Marton Photo
Videography: Amari Productions
Band: Jordan Music Entertainment
Beauty: Veil of Grace Bridal
Linens: BBJ La Tavola
Paper Goods: Chaucer Road Paper
Photo Booth: Hollywood Photo Booth
Transportation: Riz Transportation

Loving this Athenaeum at Caltech wedding in Pasadena? You might also enjoy this colorful and fun Rancho Las Lomas wedding in Orange County. Currently booking 2026 & 2027 weddings, please reach out so we can chat about yours!